BMW 320d EfficientDynamics edition
15 Sep 2009
BMW applies EffycientDynamics technology on their BMW 320d with great results
BMW is taking the environment issue seriously. And they prove it by developing more refined engines every day. It seems that they lately focused on the 320d model, which they applied the EfficientDynamics technology to. The results are astonishing: the new BMW 320d EfficientDynamics edition has a 2.0 litre four cylinder diesel engine with a power of 163 hp and an extremely low consumption of only 4.1 litres/100 kilometres (68.9 mpg). Now try to beat that! And that’s not all. This refined BMW engine only puts out 109 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Great results!
All of these results could not have been obtained without some technological spicing applied to the 2.0 diesel engine and the entire car itself:
- all-aluminium crankcase
- turbocharging with variable intake geometry and common-rail direct fuel injection with piezo injectors
- optimised aerodynamics
- a longer final drive ratio
- a two mass flywheel with a centrifugal force pendulum.
Now you might say “well, it is a more fuel efficient car, but usually this comes with a compromise in dynamics”. That is true, generally, but what would you say if I would tell you that the new BMW 320d is not only economical, but it also preserves the characteristic dynamic driving capabilities of a BMW?
Hard to believe, but it’s true. Just don’t imagine that this model has the performances of a M3. In fact the penalties on the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition performances are unnoticeable but the fuel consumption, which was already low, has been decreased even more.
Basically the technology implemented in the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics also exists in other forms on other BMW models like 316d, 318d and 320d. The difference comes from the fact that the engine of the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition was specially developed for this model. This engine reaches it’s top power of 163 hp at 3500-4200 rpm while the maximum torque of 360 Nm (265 lb-ft) is available from 1750 up to 3000 rpm. These are extremely good values for a 2.0 litre diesel engine, meaning that you’ll feel the drag even from low revs with this BMW model. Good traction, good acceleration, low consumption, what could you ask more?
And if all of these sounds great, it gets even better from the point of view of a driving experience and driving pleasure since the centrifugal pendulum in the two mass flywheel is designed to reduce the vibrations that generally occur under load. Lower vibration levels for the diesel engine also means less noise and therefore a much more relaxed and comfortable driving. Exactly what you would expect from a premium car like a BMW.
This engine enables the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 225km/h (140mph) even if it’s power has been reduced by 14 hp in the best interest of fuel efficiency which is completed by the reduced roll resistance tires.
The Brake Energy Regeneration technology found on this BMW model generates electric power while the brakes are applied. This feature prevents the car from consuming more fuel.
BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition is also equipped with an automatic Start Stop feature which shuts down the engine during traffic stops, saving this way even more fuel. It might seem unsignificant but this greatly contributes to the fuel economy.
If you are really interested in fuel economy you’ll be delighted to find out that this special BMW 320d EffycientDynamics model also has a gearshift point indicator which indicates the driver which is the optimum moment for gear shifting, also to increase even more the fuel economy.
The EPS (Electronic Power Steering) system is only activated when indeed needed. Now this is really fine tuning a vehicle for a good reason. I was even more amazed to find out that they didn’t stop here. They have optimized the car aerodynamically not by designing a new body, but by lowering the chassis and also the suspension of the 320d. BMW took every detail into account and when they searched for all the things they could improve. So they found out they could improve the rims for better aerodynamics.
So they designed new rims for this BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition: the Aero rims. By the way, you might want to have a better look at these rims since they are the only exterior distinctive element between the regular 320d and the EfficientDynamic edition.
Amazingly the BMW engineers succeeded to achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.26! If you don’t know what this means, let me tell you this is an excellent value, or even more than that.
This BMW model sums up even more advantages: because of the low emission values under 110g/100 km, this BMW 320d may benefit from preferential taxation in some countries, meaning less taxes to pay for the car.
The older brother, the regular BMW 320d is still going to be produced. BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition will exist in parallel with the former BMW 320d model, and both versions will have the same price, meaning you won’t have to pay more for the latter.
As a conclusion I might say that BMW really knows what direction is heading, and judging the results of their work I think it is pretty obvious they are going up. BMW always managed to design and produce highly efficient engines but it seems that they compete with themselves and they are wining.
Performance, efficiency, comfort, pleasure in driving are the qualities that make BMW a special brand admired by so many people. They clearly know how to achieve complete customer satisfaction. Good job BMW!
Since BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition is unveiled for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, you might want to check out at your local BMW dealer for details because this is a car with too many things in it’s favor to let it pass by you.
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